Inventing Anna

As "Inventing Anna" (2022 release; 9 episodes ranging 60 to 80 min each) opens, we are reminded that "This whole story is completely true. Except the parts that are totally made up." We then go to "November 20, 2017" as Anna Delvey is charged in a New York court with various crimes and remanded to Rikers Island. In a parallel story line, we are introduced to Vivian Kent, a struggling writer at Manhattan Magazine and who happens to be pregnant with her first child. She pitches the idea of doing a deep dive on this Anna Delvey to the magazine, and goes off to Rikers to meet Anna in person. At this point we are 15 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest brainchild from Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy", "Bridgeton"). Here she uses an article from New York magazine to bring a sprawling look at the real life story of this mysterious Anna Delvey a/k/a Anna Sorokin. Who is she? A German heiress with unlimited funds from her trust? A skilled con woman out to connive Manhattan's high society? Both? More? This mini-series spares no expenses, and we get a lot of "the life styles of the rich and famous" type stuff. And Julia Garner ("Ozark") is terrific in the lead role. But two things hold this mini-series back: first, I am bothered by the disclaimer that opens each episode that "all is true, except where it isn't". So what this means is that we have no idea what parts are based on the real life story of Anna Delvey, and what is "totally made up". Second, at a running time of almost 10 hours, the mini-series is too long for its own good. Leave out the fluff, and instead it should've made a terrific 3 or 4 part mini-series. After having seen the first three episodes last night, I thought to myself "Am I really gonna spend time to watch 6 more episodes of this?" I honestly don't know as of now.

"Inventing Anna" premiered on Netflix a few days ago, and all 9 episodes are now ready to be binged if you are so inclined. If you are into true crime mixed with "life styles of the rich and famous", I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

It is a mixed bag. I like the premise. A con artist tricks all of New Yorks elite into thinking she is a German heiress. The actress who plays Anna does a good job. I don't like the character, but, she is interesting. Then this pregnant journalist is trying to write a story about her, I find the journalist extremely annoying. Then there are all of the super rich characters, I hate them all so much. The show does quite a good job (maybe unintentionally) of showing just how horrible these ultrarich people must be in real life. I am finding it interesting enough, that I will probably finish watching it, but I don't really like it and I am never going to rewatch it.

I only write this short review to react to some of your reviews, lol. To all, who thinks that Anna is the hero of this story. She isn't. She comes off as a delusional, superficial con person. Which she was. And is, I guess. And the journalist and the lawyer, who fell for her, they come off as pathethic. They fell for the con woman. So I think the show doesn't want us to feel sympathy for Anna. Well I didn't, for sure.

Oh dear. This show focuses on an annoying, self-absorbed journalist who is trying to discover the truth but what is interesting is Julia Garner's performance. It would be much better if they had ditched the boring 'finding out' bits and just let Anna's story tell itself.

The story of Anna Delvey/Sorokin is an interesting one that I've been aware of since years before this series came out. Julia Garner does a great performance as Anna both showing her as an entitled wanna-be and a vulnerable girl in over her head. The problem is, for some reason the show decided to frame the narrative around some journalist slowly uncovering the story. It's like they didn't think the story of Anna had enough to work on its own (which it certainly does). It wouldn't be so bad if the premise wasn't so ridiculously tropey and over the top. Disgraced female journalist dealing with her misogynistic bosses while the ticking clock element is the fact she is literal weeks from giving birth. It's all just so unnecessary and distracting from the story of Anna. Netflix is not network television, there is no incentive to make a series longer, this could have all been told in a concise 5-6 episodes without the journalist narrative.